Hi All

The announcement you have all been waiting for! Tickets to this year's Scallop Festival go on sale this Monday, 1 May!

Like last year they will sell out - so get in quick so you can 'Indulge Yourself' in more succulent seafood and good times on Saturday 26 August 2006, at one of New Zealand's favourite seaside destinations .

IN THIS UPDATE:

-Tickets Outlets -Your chance to WIN a mixed case of Maven Wines -New dishes - Macadamia Scallop Pate! -Major sponsors -New competitions -Celebrity Chefs

TICKET OUTLETS:

The 2006 ticket price is $20, which includes a festival wine glass (empty) with neck cord. These tickets are restricted to 18 and over, and will sell out quickly!

If you are from outside the Coromandel, you can purchase tickets through Ticketek or from BrowniePoints.co.nz , visit www.scallopfestival.co.nz for more details

All Coromandel Information Centres will be selling tickets, but only in person. We're very lucky to have their support with the large volumes of tickets they will be selling, so please DON'T go calling them trying to get them posted out to you!

Children will be admitted on the day, but must be accompanied by an adult guardian, with the door charge being $10 for teenagers and $5 under 12.

MAJOR SPONSORS

We are expanding the festival area substantially this year, adding more bands, competitions, celebrity chefs, more space, seating and plenty more cover to make sure everyone has a great time regardless of what the weather does.

We couldn't do this without the support of our fantastic major sponsors! Make sure you show them your support.

-Maven Wines. One of Malborough's newest and most exciting wine labels, receiving acclaim from wine critics in New Zealand and right around the world. Their Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay both took out silver medals in the 2005 Air New Zealand Wine Awards. For what it is worth, the festival committee sampled a glass or two in our recent meeting and gave it the big thumbs up too! Their Sauvignon Blanc is wine of the month at New World in May, so try it for yourself before the festival. Check out more on Maven Wines at www.scallopfestival.co.nz/maven

-Monteith's. After supporting the very first Scallop Festival, Monteith's have gone all out in their support for the festival in 2006. With a superb range of boutique craft beers, there'll be a match to every dish at the festival and we're absolutely rapt to have the support of a family of beers which tie so nicely to this homegrown Kiwi event.

-Whitianga Waterways. Coastal property doesn't get much better than this. Imagine indulging in freshly caught scallops on your deck, overlooking your launch tied up at your own private jetty! Actually, don't imagine, go and talk to Peter and his team while you're at the Scallop Festival and make that dream a reality! Whitianga Waterways helped to make the first Scallop Festival happen and they are once again proud supporters!

-We are talking to other businesses at the moment who are keen to be part of the action, so stay tuned for more announcements!

WIN A CASE OF MAVEN WINE!

Tickets are limited and should sell out quick, but here is an extra incentive to purchase them during May!

Both Ticketek and Browniepoints.co.nz have a mixed case of Maven Wine to give away. They will each draw a lucky ticket holder from purchases made online during May.

NEW DISHES!

Last year we brought you innovations like Scallop and Chardonnay shots, Macadamia crumbed Scallops and Scallop Hot Dogs.

Our local chefs have had their thinking caps on and the first new dish to be announced is Macadamia Scallop Pate, from Cathedral Cove Macadamias. They'll also be serving up the Macadamia Crumbed Scallops which were such a hit last year and are finalising a spicey sauce to go over poached scallops in the half shell. You can tell these guys just love good food!

CELEBRITY CHEFS!

We're also importing a few celebrity chefs to entertain and educate, one will be very well known to Wellington foodies!

Stay tuned for more in this department!

COMPETITIONS!

Once again the Battle of the Barbeques, Scallop Shucking Spectacular and Ode to the Scallop are back!

There will be more plenty more action on stage with an ocean-inspired Wearable Art show, and a major travel prize to giveaway at the end of the day - stay tuned for details

Cheers from the Scallop Festival Committee! www.scallopfestival.co.nz

ENDS

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